Skills for Healing, Inclusion, and Nurturing Empowerment for Girls* (S.H.I.N.E.) Program
What?
The Skills for Healing, Inclusion, and Nurturing Empowerment for Girls*(SHINE) program provides girls in Washington state with an opportunity to learn about their identity, values, and self worth and build skills in order to address the issues that affect their lives. Girls will develop strategies for emotional resilience, healthy communication, and positive relationship building through interactive activities and data-driven discussions.
SHINE aims to disrupt the gendered and racialized pathways that push girls into court contact.
The 10-week program covers a variety of topics that are pulled from several different time-tested, evidence-based girls’ group curricula, ranging from communication and conflict resolution to partner violence and power in relationships. Facilitated by trusted adults and/or a youth leader, this program creates a safe space for girls to develop peer connections and build community. This process encourages the development of more prosocial behaviors which allows girls to actualize their inherent power and contribute positively to their communities.
*The term “girls” is used inclusively and refers to cisgender girls, transgender girls, gender non-conforming youth, genderqueer youth, and any girl-identified youth.
Who?
SHINE is supported by The Justice for Girls Coalition, a non-profit organization with members from across Washington state. In 2015, JFG gained 501c3 status, formed a board, and expanded the scope to include advocacy and training across multiple systems including school, mental health, health, housing, child welfare, and juvenile justice. The Coalition seeks to improve the status of girls in WA state, address the underlying conditions that perpetuate the adversity they face, and pave pathways for a better future.
Specifically, SHINE seeks to support youth who meet these eligibility requirements:
Any girl-identified youth (especially youth of color and/or youth experiencing court/system involvement, truancy, or difficulties at school)
Age 14-20 (recommended)
Follow the norms and behavior guidelines to allow for an atmosphere of safety, anonymity, respect, and dignity for all members and facilitators
Attend as many meetings as possible
Why?
Data shows that many girls in Washington are on a path for prosperity and well-being with the support, connections, and resources they need to thrive. However, when the data is pulled apart by race/ethnicity and other factors, it shows that some girls endure a disproportionate share of hardships and face barriers that arise at the intersections of structural inequalities such as gender, race, locality, poverty, ability, and sexuality. There is also a growing understanding of the developmental needs of girls. Yet the systems in place (including schools, courts, child welfare, mental health/health, housing, and law enforcement) are not designed to support the healing and healthy development of girls and can perpetuate historical bias and inequality. As a result, a new approach to supporting the unique needs of system-involved girls is needed.
SHINE is a gender-responsive program that empowers girls to reflect on the challenges they face, understand their inherent power, and improve their relationships. Additionally, it fosters healthy girl culture and builds unity among members.
D.E.I.
We value diversity, equity and inclusion in all JFG programs and challenge power imbalances in the change process as adults and youth work together. This program is open to any individual who meets the eligibility criteria and especially those who experience intersectional identities (race, gender and sexual identity, etc.), crossover youth (child welfare system-involved), and those who live in under-resourced households.
Program Structure
Our program convenes a group of system-impacted girls who can rely on each other for support, create a sense of community. The program uses the following format:
Virtual meetings are 1 hour in length, while in-person school-based meetings range from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes in length.
Goal of 8-10 girls
Members will be compensated $15 per meeting for each meeting they attend
Community service hours are also given, if needed
Program Goals
To empower girls to realize their self-worth by participating in healthy development activities that divert them away from court contact
To allow girls with shared common experiences to make connections across communities
To provide girls with adult role models and build unity among peers
To engage girls who are disproportionately impacted by systemic racism, violence, and oppression
To help adult facilitators understand how they can better support system-involved girls
